4-Car Crash Closes Northbound U.S. 19 for 2 Hours

A four-vehicle crash sent one man to the hospital and closed a stretch of northbound U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor for two hours Wednesday afternoon.

30-year-old Axios A. Kazouris of Tarpon Springs was driving a 1995 Honda sedan southbound in the inside left turn lane of U.S. 19 when he attempted to make a u-turn by driving over the grassy median just north of Nebraska Avenue around 1:05 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

Kazouris' Honda drove into the path of a 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup truck driven by Jessica Adams, 26, of Clearwater. The front of Adam's pickup hit the rear side of Kazouris' Honda. The impact of the crash caused the Honda to hit a 2000 Stem truck driven by Pene T. Eva, 51,of Hudson and a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Thomas Atkins, 52, of Clearwater.

Kazouris was transported in serious condition to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the crash report. None of the other drivers were injured.

U.S. 19 was closed from Nebraska Avenue to Highland Avenue for the investigation. Clothing and belongings that were in one of the vehicles were scattered in the northbound lanes of U.S. 19, just across from the McDonald's.

FHP investigators estimated the amount of damage caused to each vehicle-

• 1995 Honda: $8,000 damage
• 2006 Nissan Frontier: $8,000 damage
• 2000 Stem truck: $1,000 damage
• 2003 Dodge Ram: $800 damage

The investigation continues. Charges are pending.

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